Electric light



G. J; VAN DEPO'ELE. Electric-Light.

No. 227,078. Pafented April 27,1880.

WITNES sL INVENTOR: a g 5 %%%w@,m Z66 wic/K/ ATTORNEYS.

N-PErERS. IHOTO-LH'HOGRAFHER, WASmNGTom u, C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. VAN DEPOELE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

ELECTRIC LIGHT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 227,078, dated April 27, 1880.

Application filed September J0, 1870.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J osErH VAN DEPOELE, of Detroit, Wayne county, State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Regulator for Electric Lights, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to automatically regulate the feed of the carbon in electric lights according to the changes of resist ance in the current caused by the consumption of the carbon points, so as to prevent flickering and variations in intensity.

The invention consists in an electric lamp whose magnet works the armature and carries the lower carbon by leverage, thus allowing the armature perfect freedom in its movement, whereby small armatures of little resistance may be used; secondly, in combining springs to regulate the tension between the lower armature and the top lever; and, thirdly, in an electric lamp whose top carbon is free to descend and rest on the lower one when the lamp is not in use, to insure a good contact at all times.

Figure 1 is'a sectional elevation of my improved electric-light apparatus. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same on line 00 a:

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

13 is the base of the apparatus, which may be made as a hollow cast-iron box. A is an electro-magnet in the base B. D is the armature of the magnet, hung upon a standard, 0. E is the negative-carbon holder, the bottom end of which rests in an insnlatingsocket, c. F is a hard-rubber tube supporting and insulating the carbon-holder E and connected to armature D. G is a hollow standard, carrying the hollow case M and upper parts of the lamp. J is a thimble or tube attached to case M, and through which the vertical rod L passes loosely. Upon the lower end of L is a socket or holder for the positive carbon.

I is a bent lever hung in casing M, in one end of which is fitted a screw-point or plug, i, that is caused to bear on rod L, as hereinafter described. H is a rod connecting the lever I with armature D, so that when the armature is drawn to magnet A the screw 6 bears upon rod L through an opening in tube J and clamps the same in the tube J. K is a spring bearing upon lever I, and -tending to raise armature D. K is a spring on lever I, to which spring rod II is connected. R R are screws for regulating the tension of springs K K.

Above the tube J, around rod L, is a cylinder, N, and upon the end of L is a head, 0, fitting loosely in cylinder N.

The operation is as follows: IVhen no current is passing the carbons are in contact, the

A lower one being raised by springs K and the top one dropping by its own weight. The negative pole of a battery or dynamo-electric machine is to be connected to binding-post N, that is connected to magnet A and holder E, and the positive pole will be connected to post P, that connects, by the base 13, support Gr, and casing M, with the carbon-l1older L. The moment a current is established the magnet A is excited, draws down the armature D, and with it lowers the negative carbon. At the same time the rod H is drawn upon and the positive-carbon holder L locked by lever I and screw 2'. This position continues until by wearing away of the carbon points the length of the electric arc, and consequently the resistance, is so increased that the magnet cannot hold the armature D against the tension of springs. \Vhen the armature rises the positive-carbon holder is released and falls. The magnetism being thus increased, the armature is again attracted and the negative carbon drawn down. The length of the are non mally is regulated by the screw P, against which the armature takes when it rises, thus regulating the distance the positive carbon may fall before coming in contact with the negative carbon, and consequently the distance which the negative carbon will move away from the positive when the armature is attracted.

The cylinder N and head 0 serve to prevent the positive carbon from falling too fast. As the carbon falls the air between the pistonhead 0 and the bottom of N acts as a cushion, and the carbon falls only so fast as the air escapes past the head to the upper part of the cylinder.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination, with the carbon-holders in an electric light, of the positive-carbon 5 clamp-lever I, springs K K, rod H, armature D, and rubber tube F, as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with a clamp-lever, I, of the screw 1', rod L, and side-aperturerl tube J, as and for the purpose specified.

CHARLES JOSEPH VAN DEPOELE.

Witnesses SAMUEL D. CRAIG, NICHOLAS TISLER. 

